For Karan Shah, a wheelchair user from Dadar, late Monday morning turned into an unusual civic moment. Shah travelled along newly cleared pavements in Dadar and met Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to thank him for the ongoing anti-hawking drive that has opened up pedestrian space in the area.
The civic action follows Bombay High Court directives and is part of a wider crackdown across Dadar, Parel and Matunga to clear encroachments and improve pedestrian access.
Why it mattered for Shah
Shah, a dog behaviourist, said the cleared pavements have transformed mobility for wheelchair users.
“A society that factors in its differently-abled in every aspect is an evolved one practising equal rights. The clean-up drive has made it easier not just for pedestrians but also for wheelchair users like me,” he said.
Sunil Shah
“When hawkers spill onto the pavement, people struggle to place their feet. How can a wheelchair pass through?”
He met Gagrani near the Suvidha store in Dadar West.
“The commissioner was down-to-earth and positive. When I thanked him for thinking of disabled persons like me, he said, ‘Do not call yourself disabled, simply differently-abled.’ That was touching,” Shah said, adding, “Dadar suddenly looks bigger, as if it has expanded.”
Traders’ view
Sunil Shah, president of the Dadar Vyapari Sangh, said the uncluttered streets must be maintained.
“Dadar has never looked as open as it does today. We must ensure the space does not revert to its earlier state.
Proper demarcation and relocation of licensed hawkers is essential.”
Ground reality before the drive
Mobility barriers faced
>> Wheelchairs forced onto roads due to pavement congestion
>> Users exposed to traffic risk
>> Narrow walking space due to hawker spillover
Accessibility gaps still remain
Issues flagged to the BMC
>> Need for ramps or gentle gradients on pavements
>> Bollards blocking wheelchair access
>> Some bollards already removed in parts of Dadar
Civic action underway
Areas reviewed by the commissioner on Monday
>> Dadar
>> Parel
>> Matunga
Drive launched following Bombay High Court directives on encroachments.
